A Message from President Denise Burke
A funny thing happened on the way to my kitchen!
This is going to be the “Family Circus” version of why this is the best time to live in Niagara. But first let me start by thanking Jan Cook, a local philanthropist, top notch fund raiser and overall great man. (There’s a tie in I promise.) But first I want to take you back to last Thursday. I woke to a bright and sunny sky that carried all the hope of a perfect day…until I headed downstairs to the kitchen. As I do every morning, I proceeded to make my daily protein shake, chock full of all things good for you. Spinach, coconut water, banana and…(insert scary music here) a dreaded avocado!!! As most women do, or so I have now discovered, I began the care free process of removing the pit with a knife. A very sharp knife! But instead of stabbing the avocado, I put the knife through my hand, severing both tendons, a nerve and an artery in my left index finger. The pain was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, including two child births (one of which was done with very little anesthetic!), a fractured leg and some fairly large needles over the years. (OK, so maybe I haven’t been that hard done by in my life, but my point is, it hurt!) Not being able to feel or move my finger, and trying to contain the gusher of blood that was free flowing from my hand, I calmly mentioned to Bill that maybe I should go to the hospital….Bill’s version may vary slightly, but that’s the way I remember it! So off we went to our beautiful new hospital. This was the first time anyone in our family NEEDED to go there, so first and foremost I want to thank Jan Cook (here comes the tie in as promised) for spearheading the capital campaign and approaching Bill and I to be donors. I’m not sure who’s vision it was to build a spectacular regional facility in our back yard, but I thank you. And I thank men like Jan Cook who take it upon themselves to make sure those visions turn into our realities!
I have nothing but praise about my experience that day. The triage nurse was wonderful as she assured me that I would in fact still be able to hold and feel my grandchildren (I don’t have grandchildren, but apparently that was my concern). The emergency doctor, Dr. Petrocci stitched up my finger and stopped the blood flow all without getting one drop of blood on me! The male nurse that was assisting wasn’t so lucky, but he was a perfect gentleman about it…even when I screamed at him after he gave me that 2 foot needle! (I forgive you.) I was then whisked up for a consult with Dr. Young, who scheduled me for surgery the following Saturday (which was a raving success by the way). EVERYONE that had a hand in admitting me or attending to me from assistant to doctor did so with efficiency, knowledge, compassion, gentleness, understanding…I only wish I were a human dictionary so that I could come up with more adjectives!!
From there I was referred to Hotel Dieu Shaver Rehab Centre for my therapy and have been seeing a very lovely, very calming, very gifted therapist. Thanks Bruna!! My hand feels better just knowing that you are looking after me. Again, this is the first time anyone in our family NEEDED to go there, and if you have been FORTUNATE enough NOT to need it, then go and check it out. You will be blown away! You simply don’t know how lucky we are that we have these tremendous facilities, nurses, doctors, therapists and staff in our community.
So as I sit here at my desk in the new Meridian Centre, reflecting back on our great playoff run, wondering what concerts and events might be upcoming, I’m smiling inside with the knowledge that our little community is growing up quite nicely! Yes, this is a good time to live in Niagara!!…what’s next, maybe the Go-Train?
